Breadcrumb

H. R. Haldeman Diaries

This collection consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman's candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the year 1969–1973.

This collection is divided into two series: Handwritten and Audio Diaries. The handwritten series dates from January 18, 1969, to December 2, 1970. On November 30, 1970, Haldeman transferred to keeping his diary via audio recordings.

Note on the Audio: These audio diary entries have been remastered from original audio cassette tapes or second-generation reel-to-reel audio tapes and have been rendered in the form of MP3 and WAV digital audio files. Exempted audio segments are noted by a consistent audio tone covering the length of the redacted portion, while all declassified and newly opened privacy audio content has been reinserted in original order. Due to the nature of WAV files, the Nixon Library is unable to embed metadata at this time. Basic information can be found in the file name and accompanying MP3 file.

Note on the Transcripts: Transcripts of these recordings have been edited in rich text format and have been rendered as PDF documents. All materials returned from systematic declassification review are marked within the transcripts either as declassified or exempt in full. Segments marked declassified have been transcribed in full. Segments marked as exempt from declassification include a brief description of the redacted transcript and an exemption category cited from EO 13526. Re–reviewed privacy material has likewise been transcribed if opened, or transcripts have been annotated for continued closure.

Even though transcripts may be prepared with great care and substantial effort, many points of ambiguity are inevitable, and erroneous or different interpretations from transcripts are always possible. The Nixon Library and the National Archives considers existing transcripts to be an interpretation of the record rather than the record itself. The Library considers the actual audio to be the record, and strongly urges users to listen to the audio entries.